July 17th, 2008 Sandra Friend
North of the main portion of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and its hiking trails in Boynton Beach, a new 3-mile hiking and biking trail opened June 16 at Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West on CR 880, south of Southern Blvd (US 98) at Nine Mile Bend. The trail includes a 200-foot boardwalk and interpretive information about the restoration of this former farm to wetlands. For more information, see this story in the Sun-Sentinel.
Posted in Events, News, South | No Comments » Post to del.icio.us
July 12th, 2008 Sandra Friend
Next Saturday, July 19, Alachua County cuts the ribbon (or in this case, a vine) at its fifth public land purchased with Alachua County Forever Funds, Sweetwater Preserve. The 114-acre preserve is on the south edge of Gainesville between Paynes Prairie State Park and Boulware Springs Park and spans from Williston Road (CR 331) to the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rail Trail. The celebration will include a short guided walk through seven natural communities. The park will be open sunrise to sunset thereafter.
For a map and directions to the event, see the press release from Alachua County
For more details, see the fact sheet on Sweetwater Preserve
Posted in Events, News, North | No Comments » Post to del.icio.us
July 1st, 2008 Sandra Friend
This Saturday, July 5, Lake County will offer a guided hike on the Scrub-Jay Trail in South Clermont. It’s a special event offered each first Saturday of the month, even in summer. Meet at 8 AM for coffee and juice, an orientation session, and then a guided walk across the scrub preserve. Learn more about the preserve, which is only open on weekends, at The Florida Scrub Jay Trail.
Posted in Central, Events | No Comments » Post to del.icio.us
July 1st, 2008 Sandra Friend
July is Florida Recreation and Parks Month, and what better way to celebrate than to visit your local state park? It’s summer, so if you’re going to hike, get there when the gates open at 8 AM, or pick a park where paddling and swimming is a part of the fun too, like Lafayette Blue Springs State Park or Wekiwa Springs State Park.
On Sunday July 13, admission to all state parks is free. Get out there and enjoy your Florida treasures!
Posted in Central, Events, North | No Comments » Post to del.icio.us
June 25th, 2008 Sandra Friend
Our Department of Environmental Protection kicked off its first-ever Florida Rivers Month Photo Contest on Jun 1. I just received news today, and the contest goes on through the end of July.
If you have photos that depict the beauty of Florida’s rivers, considering submitting your best to this online contest. It’s mainly for bragging rights (although a gift basket is involved), but what the heck … here are the rules and forms you need to submit your images to DEP.
Posted in Events, News | No Comments » Post to del.icio.us
